UFT / ALM Test Automation & Framework Engineering
Test Automation & QA Expert – UFT UIA & UIA Pro Specialist

Precision meets process optimization

I streamline optimized test processes, develop reusable frameworks and ensure software quality reliably — for classic and modern desktop and web applications.

I develop reusable UFT test frameworks that speed up your test operations

Consulting, framework development and coaching for test organizations. Focus: robust, maintainable automation with UFT.

I develop professional, scalable UFT frameworks – including UIA/UIA-Pro automation, ALM integration, VBS/Excel libraries and modular test architectures.

UIA stands for Windows UI Automation and provides the technical foundation that allows UFT to perform both traditional and AI-powered recognition of desktop elements.

What is UFT Testing?

UFT Testing refers to the use of OpenText UFT One (formerly Micro Focus UFT, HP UFT or QuickTest Professional/QTP). It is one of the leading solutions for automating functional software tests and enables end-to-end automation for web, desktop, mobile and API applications.

UFT (Unified Functional Testing) is a commercial, AI-enhanced automation tool that makes functional tests and regression tests efficient and reproducible. Test scripts can be recorded, modularized and executed automatically as often as required.

Main features

Automation of UI and API tests in a unified interface
Object-based recognition for stable identification of UI elements
AI-supported object recognition and improved handling of dynamic interfaces
Support for Web, Java, .NET, SAP, Oracle, legacy systems and more
Data-driven testing via DataTable, Excel or external sources
Seamless integration with ALM, Jenkins, Git and DevOps pipelines

Benefits

Significant reduction in manual activities
Reliable regression tests through repeatable processes
Stronger error prevention through automated checks
Significant time savings, especially in release cycles

⬆

Over 15 years experience

in test automation and framework engineering make me a reliable partner for companies that take quality seriously.

I combine analytical thinking, precise structure and strategic approach to detect defects, optimize processes and create stable, scalable test frameworks.

My mission: design processes efficiently, minimize risks and measurably improve software quality.

UFT ROI Case Study

Click “PDF download” to download the file or “Preview” to open it in the browser.

PDF download

100% Automated Scenarios

UFT Test Automation: Complete automation of desktop and web applications
UIA (User Interface Automation): Standardized object recognition via properties and methods for desktop and web apps
UIA Pro: Use of the Microsoft UI Automation framework for .NET, WPF and WinForms applications; reliable recognition of modern UI components
Creation and maintenance of scalable frameworks & libraries specifically for UFT UIA
Hierarchical test flows & process optimization with focus on UIA compatibility
Debugging & analysis of complex systems in the UIA environment

~70% time savings in regression testing through a tailored UFT/ALM test framework with UIA and UIA-Pro technologies.

Key Benefits

Reusable UIA and UIA-Pro components
Modular framework architecture for quick maintenance
Abstract function libraries with VBScript & Descriptive Programming
Stable UI recognition for desktop, WPF, WinForms and web interfaces
Direct ALM linking for automated documentation and reporting

Technical Levers

Keyword-Driven / Hybrid Framework Structure
UIA & UIA Pro for consistent object recognition
Descriptive Programming instead of Object Repository
Automated test runs and logs in Micro Focus ALM

Result

~70% less effort in regression
Stable, low-maintenance test automation
Faster releases through secured quality
Reduced error rate through robust UIA technology

Free initial consultation Teams & ICS

⬆

Services

Consulting & Strategy

📊

Analysis of existing test processes, roadmap & prioritization.

Assessment of current tests & toolchain
Migration planning to UFT/ALM
Proof-of-concept (pilot)

Framework Development

⚙️

Modular, maintainable UFT framework with reusable libraries.

Folder & naming conventions
Data-driven / Keyword-driven concepts
Integration into CI & ALM

Training & Coaching

🎓

Hands-on training for testers & DevOps teams.

UFT best practices
Creation of descriptive libraries (VBS)
Onboarding & mentoring

Core Services

UFT framework architecture & implementation
ALM integration & test data management
Descriptive function libraries (VBS / Excel)
Workshops & coaching

Open UFT Test Automation Core Services in new tab

⬆

References & Results

Banking App — Regression

Built a framework, enabled parallel tests, result: regression reduced from 4 days → 6 hours.

Technologies: UFT, ALM, VBS

Insurance — Module Tests

Descriptive function libraries (Excel-driven) reduced script creation by 60%.

Technologies: UFT, Excel, ALM

💬 Show client testimonials

Client testimonials

“The implementation was pragmatic and effective — our release cycle improved considerably.” — Senior QA Manager

“Mr. Büche worked as an external employee with us from February to November 2018 in the field of test automation for bahn.de. His tasks included test execution with Micro Focus Application Lifecycle Management ALM and test evaluation, as well as the further development, maintenance and, if necessary, adaptation of test cases and the underlying framework functions. Thanks to his comprehensive experience, Mr. Büche was able to take over these tasks independently after a short familiarization period and carry them out successfully. In addition, Mr. Büche further developed the test execution documentation in ALM and improved or completely fixed various problems in the test automation programming.” — Senior Test Manager

“Mr. Büche was commissioned as an external consultant from July 2016 to April 2017 in the project "Selection and introduction of a solution for test automation of SAP CRM 7.0" by VBL to set up and introduce test automation using Hewlett Packard Enterprise - Unified Functional Testing 12.5 (HP UFT). Mr. Büche performed the following tasks within the project as part of the agreed goals: Aufbau eines Framework für modulare Testfallerstellung in HP UFT mittels Libraries in VBS für wiederverwendbare Funktionen; Entwicklung von systemübergreifenden Testskripten für ein NetWeaver Business Client (NWBC) SAP CRM sowie SAP ERP System; Modular structure of test scenarios and parameter transfer of variants from Excel tables; Documentation of the HP UFT based framework and its extension to "Test Driven Development" as well as libraries with the functions; Extension of the framework for configurable adaptation to different runtime environments and software versions; Coaching and handover of the framework to the test team; Introduction of test reporting based on HP report facilities. Mr. Büche quickly familiarized himself with the technically new area based on his solid knowledge and experience with HP QTP and UFT. The solution approaches he designed were always purposeful and pragmatic, so the implementation of the requirements for the framework and the test scenarios for the test object could be used correctly within the planned time. Mr. Büche worked with great care and thus achieved very good results in qualitative and quantitative terms. Through his conceptual, creative and logical thinking, he always found excellent solutions to all problems that occurred. He always worked very quickly, result-oriented and precisely. Reliability and trustworthiness characterized his working style. Collaboration with him was very goal-oriented and efficient and characterized by respectful interaction.” — Project Manager

Professional Articles & Best Practices

📘 Best Practices for Robust UFT Frameworks

Best Practices for Robust UFT Frameworks

Practical guidelines for architecture, stability, maintainability and enterprise readiness.

1. Framework Architecture

Layered design: Test Cases → Business Logic → Technical Libraries
Strict separation of test logic and UI interaction
Reusable actions and function libraries instead of monolithic scripts

2. Object Identification Strategy

Prefer Descriptive Programming over static object repositories
Centralized object definitions for consistent maintenance
Use stable property combinations, avoid index-based identification

3. Test Data & Parameterization

Externalized test data (Excel, CSV, ALM Test Parameters)
Clear separation of test logic and test data
Data-driven execution for scalable regression testing

4. Error Handling & Stability

Centralized error handling using On Error Resume Next with validation
Custom recovery scenarios for application and environment failures
Defensive checks before each UI interaction

5. Logging & Reporting

Custom logging layer on top of UFT Reporter
Clear distinction between technical errors and business failures
Automatic screenshots with contextual information on failure

6. ALM / Quality Center Integration

Parameterized execution from ALM test sets
Central storage of libraries and shared resources in ALM
Traceability between requirements, test cases and defects

7. Maintainability & Governance

Consistent naming conventions for libraries and functions
Versioning strategy for shared framework components
Regular refactoring and code reviews

8. Performance & Execution Efficiency

Avoid static delays (Wait) where possible
Use conditional synchronization instead of fixed timing
Optimize object search and execution paths

Outcome

Higher test stability
Reduced maintenance effort
Enterprise-ready, scalable UFT automation frameworks

⚙️ ALM / Octane Integration in CI/CD Pipelines

Profile: orchestration, traceability and automatic upload of test results (UFT, API, Selenium) into ALM / Octane.

1. Target picture

ALM/Octane as orchestration and evidence system in the release process

Core idea: CI/CD produces builds, runs automated tests and writes results back to ALM / ALM Octane.
Automatic update of User Stories, Quality Risks, Defects and Test Runs — full traceability in the release.

2. Architecture model for CI/CD integration

a) CI/CD → ALM/Octane (Bottom-Up)

Pipeline triggers automated tests (UFT One, API tests, Selenium, etc.).
After each test run: push run results via API or plugin to ALM/Octane.
Automatic linking of tests with work items: User Story, Feature, Quality Risk, Defect.

b) ALM/Octane → CI/CD (Top-Down)

Release or sprint in Octane triggers build pipelines (e.g. commit checks).
Octane controls which test sets/scenarios are executed (test selection).
"Pipeline as a Service": Octane can initiate deployments and quality gates.

3. Technical connectivity in CI/CD

a) Jenkins / Azure DevOps / GitLab — typical flow

Commit / merge → pipeline builds the application.
UFT tests run via UFT Developer, UFT One, UFT Runner or UFT Agent.
ALM/Octane plugin sends test reports & logs.
Pipeline enforces quality gates based on ALM feedback.

b) ALM / Octane plugins

Jenkins Plugin for ALM Octane: automatic upload of test runs, coverage, builds.
ADO Extension for Octane: link pipeline runs, commits and tests.
UFT-ALM integration: test set execution and reporting for ALM Classic.

4. Embedding work items into releases

a) Link logic

Each automated test in Octane is linked to a work item (user story / feature / risk).
Pipeline run → test run → work item → release — progress & risk are immediately visible.

b) Coverage matrix

Automated tests update the automated coverage of a feature.
Missing coverage triggers quality gates (red) — release remains blocked.

c) Defect handling

Failures optionally create defects automatically.
Defect is linked to the work item and the build → full traceability.

5. Integration of UFT tests into the release flow

a) UFT One → ALM Classic

Pipeline triggers test set in ALM via ALM REST API.
TestRun → Result → Status → linked requirement.

b) UFT Developer / UFT Runner → Octane

Test runner executes UFT tests (UI / API).
Results.xml or JUnit reports are automatically uploaded to Octane.
Octane automatically maps: Test → Feature, Test → Story, Test → Quality Risk.

6. Governance & Quality Gates

a) Before release

Define minimum automation level.
All assigned work items must be green.
No open critical defects.
Pipeline run must be reported as passed in Octane.

b) After release

Octane collects telemetry: flaky tests, runtimes, failure types.
Improvements feed back into sprint planning.

7. Best practices for stable release integration

a) Clear test-work item relationships

Each automated test verifies a clear business goal.
Each test has an owner work item (story / feature / risk).

b) Clean naming standards

Recommended format: <Subsystem>_<Feature>_<TestType>_<Scenario> — facilitates automatic import into Octane.

c) Automate result uploads

Never feed ALM/Octane test results manually.
Each pipeline pushes: test result, artifacts (screenshots, logs), build number, commit hash.

d) Use a release dashboard

Show: release status, automated coverage, defects, build health, pipeline runs.

8. Example: simple workflow

Developer commits code.
Jenkins build starts.
UFT-One tests run in the test package.
Jenkins-Octane plugin sends: test run, logs, pass/fail.
Octane updates story status and release risk.
Release manager sees automatic quality status without manual input.

9. Sources

⬆

Contact

⬆

Next steps (proposal)

1. Quick Assessment (1 day)

Quick analysis of your current test landscape and priorities.

2. Pilot (2-4 weeks)

Proof-of-concept for critical scenarios with measurable ROI.

3. Rollout & Coaching

Rollout of the framework, team training, knowledge transfer.